Canadians eliminated in semifinals at World Series diving meet

Meaghan Benfeito

MEXICO CITY – Roseline Filion of Laval, Que., and Meaghan Benfeito of Montreal were eliminated in the semifinals on Friday evening on women’s 10-metre tower at the fourth and final stop on the World Series diving circuit.

Filion of Benfeito finished third and fourth respectively in one of two semifinals. Nora Subschinsky of Germany posted the best score in the first semifinal with 342.75 points followed by Xin Wang of China at 314.75. Filion earned 301.60 and Benfeito 282.55.

The top-two from each of the two semis advanced to the final held later Friday. Filion and Benfeito will rank sixth and seventh overall. In the other semi, Li Kang of China was first at 391.15 and Alexandra Croak of Australia second at 360.90.

Competition ends Saturday. Filion and Benfeito will compete on women’s 10-metre synchro. They have posted two silver medal finishes this season in the event including last weekend in Sheffield England.

About the FINA World Series

In 2009, there are four stops on the FINA Diving World Series which was originally launched in 2007.

Last year, Canadian divers won seven medals on the three stops of the 2008 FINA Diving World Series. The Canadian tandem of Émilie Heymans and Marie-Eve Marleau were crowned 10-meter synchro champions after winning one gold and two silver medals.

The Canadian team of Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion qualified for the 2009 FINA World Series based on their performances at the 2008 Olympic Games. Only the top-eight divers in each event are invited to compete in the World Series. At the 2008 Olympic Games, Benfeito and Filion were 7th in the 10-metre synchro event.

Medallists at the FINA Diving World Series receive important cash prizes.

About Diving Plongeon Canada
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. Representing nine provincial diving associations, 67 local diving clubs and close to 4,000 high performance athletes, DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation of the world.  For information, visit www.diving.ca.

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